Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Brandon Walter (HOU) @ CLE (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.
We’ve seen a collection of young arms getting a chance in the Astros rotation and with Houston’s track record of random names becoming fantasy viable, Brandon Walter is sure to sparkle in the box scores after Sunday’s 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches (ND) in Cleveland.
I’ll make this quick. No, I’m not a believer. His approach is a bit unique – facing mostly RHB, Walter hurled 27/30 cutters for strikes (90%!) with just one hit allowed, turning to sweepers and changeups down to clean up the rest. His sole blemish was a two-run HR off an away sweeper to a LHB, and he featured roughly 20% fastballs at 92 mph that returned half of his total hits. It looks like it’s rush week in the bay with his replication of The Fratty Pirate at a harder velocity, though even with a changeup that was stellar at landing just under the zone, the cutter’s nonchalant nature over the plate relies upon foul balls and Koufax a bit too much for my liking.
He’s set to face the Twins next week and even with the decent matchup, I don’t think it’s the play to make. The propensity for strikes + a well-spotted changeup gives him a shot, though the ceiling seems too limited.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Paul Skenes (PIT) vs PHI (ND) – 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. You’re really figuring out this whole “Fine, I’ll be efficient at go seven or more innings” thing. That sinker is doing work downstairs to RHB.
Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs SDP (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.
Not as much Professor Chaos as usual, though the breakers sure weren’t the pitch we want them to be. The changeup was reliable to LHB and the heater did all the work to RHB. Nothing new here.
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs CHC (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 94 pitches.
Yesssss. He got a little help by the ump, but this was a day of seventeen called strikes on his four-seamer – which climbed back up over 93 mph (not sub 92, phew!) – in concert with fantastic curves for a 41% CSW. His slider helped at 7/9 strikes, too, but this was heater & hook day. Doing this against the Cubs should make you happy.
Ryan Bergert (SDP) @ MIL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.
Ayyyy it worked! He couldn’t go the full six frames, that’s okay, and the four-seamer cooked upstairs while the slider showed promise to RHB, even if they didn’t chase down-and-away a whole lot. There isn’t much of a third pitch in the loop save for a sweeper to LHB (wait what) and the rare changeup, which should bring caution when facing LHB-heavy crews, but all that is moot with the Sneks and Dodgers up next. He’s interesting but not that interesting.
Jacob Lopez (ATH) vs BAL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
The slider was vicious into RHB, though he didn’t get it away frequently to LHB as you’d expect from this southpaw. I think we can continue to stay away from this one for now, yeah? He’s not efficient enough with his four-seamer and there’s too low of a floor.
Anthony Veneziano (MIA) @ TBR (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 35 pitches.
We got a bullpen game from the Marlins with Valente Bellozo ending with 3.1 IP and 3 ER and we can move on. When the trade deadline arrives, this rotation is going to be ignored a whole lot.
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) @ STL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 82 pitches.
WELL WELL WELL. He actually came through for an outing, boasting the slider whiffs of old at 9/32 on the 86 mph breaker with a glistening 47% CSW. He also allowed five hits on the pitch. Sure sure sure, but the four-seamer didn’t! Because it had a 47% strike rate. FINE. He’s not back and we can just be happy for him for a day. He’ll get the Giants on Sunday and that’s Questionable. I kinda want to avoid it but sure, go for the Nationals after. They’re rough against LHP.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) @ PIT (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 100 pitches.
A Gallows Pole from Sánchez should be all that you need to eradicate the worry of his changeup’s decline, though the 96 mph velocity we saw at the beginning of the year has finally dipped below 95 mph, essentially sitting at the 94/95 mph mark from 2024. And that’s fine. It just means we shouldn’t expect a huge breakout of a season but rather a good ERA, questionable WHIP, a strikeout per inning, and a bunch of Wins. Uhhhh, he got the Loss here. Well, he’s not going to square up against Skenes every game.
George Kirby (SEA) @ LAA (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 14 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 96 pitches.
The sinker and four-seamer attacked Angels hitters upstairs and they didn’t do a whole lot with them, while the slider finally was located well. We’re talking all on the outer half and either middle or down vertically, leading to a 45% CSW and four strikeouts. PHEW. Good to have Kirby with solid command back on the menu and while the strikeouts are sure to come down to one per inning or so, this was a nice surprise. Let’s see how this goes against the Guardians and in Wrigley up next as we continue starting him.
Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs HOU (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
Success! WITH COMMAND! Kinda. Mostly. The sweeper was the winner with a 44% chase rate and 7/25 whiffs leading the way against the nearly exclusive RHB crew, while the cutter was fantastic along the edges for some Canibal McSanchez action and landing down-and-away. The four-seamer was still up in velocity to 95/96 mph (sweet), and the changeup…was terrible. Well, it worked without any of its nine thrown landing in play, but it was floated consistently and he was fortunate to grab a pair of strikeouts on the day. We’re making progress here and to see a 71% strike rate paired with secondaries along the edges, I’m a happy man. Good luck @TEA up next.
Drew Rasmussen (TBR) vs MIA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 74 pitches.
It’s pretty clear that the Rays have a rough “when he crosses 70 pitches” limit on Rasmussen, which still returns six frames for the Raz-ma-Taz. His cutter feel is back after that brief outage a few weeks ago and you can be upset if you like about the fewer frames relative to his pitch count and lower strikeout rate, but the man is productive. Embrace it.
Michael Lorenzen (KCR) @ CHW (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.
Great job Lorenzen for the fun Sunday stream. Terrible job making us feel secure that Noah Cameron would stick in this rotation. It looks like a six-man for now, though, and I wonder if Lorenzen is holding on for dear life. I wouldn’t start him against the Athletics.
Joe Ryan (MIN) vs TOR (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 92 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Okay, those few extra walks bother me, but we’re cool. He didn’t get that heater up per usual, which led to more foul balls and those walks. Whatareyagonnado.
Tylor Megill (NYM) @ COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
Wait what. Megill, in Coors, mind you, went 42% sliders?! Here I was wondering if the pitch would be all kinds of weird with the thin air and not carry the same shift of horizontal break as we saw previously. He also went sub 60% strikes with it and pumped heaters down the pipe, save for the wild sinker along the edges. What a weird game. He’ll get the Rays next and that’s okay…? I’m no quite on board with the slider.
Brady Singer (CIN) vs ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 77 pitches.
Phew. I don’t think a 3.60 ERA justifies the rest of the line and the slider is still having a terrible time with just 3/24 whiffs. I implore you to reconsider Singer as a reliable option, even if this was the Sneks. I’m happy for you, fella. Truly. You gotta figure out the slider again – I don’t care if you’re getting better with your cutter. Really? Okay fine I love that but it’s moot without the slider.
Trevor Williams (WSN) vs TEX (L) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 81 pitches.
Remember kids, #NeverTrevor. Much worse command to RHB than we normally see, which isn’t much of an option when you sit 88 mph.
Mike Vasil (CHW) vs KCR (ND) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 50 pitches.
This was a bullpen game, explaining the HAISTBMBWT?! and we can move on. Vasil ain’t it if he were theoretically stretched out.
Jacob Latz (TEX) @ WSN (ND) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 60 pitches.
Twas a bullpen game, though we saw Latz Dance into the fourth with seven strikes. Who? A southpaw for the Rangers, don’t worry about it. Latz did so by elevating four-seamers at 94/95 mph and 18″ of vert with above-average extension and that will always get my attention. Sadly, the breakers are pretty whack, but a southpaw with a changeup that stays down against RHB merged with that heater is actually super interesting…Huh. If he can get that slider away to LHB and keep up this command, he may actually be someone to consider. Sadly, his time in the pen this year has displayed far worse changeups, mostly slipping up-and-away out of the zone, and there’s no reason to believe he can be consistent in the short term. He’s not even starting again. Oh right, bullpen game. AND it was the Nats, who are poor against LHB. But let’s say he goes again and has 70-80 pitches in him against the White Sox on Sunday. He’s not a terrible dart throw.
Landen Roupp (SFG) vs ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
A weird one from Roupp with both sinkers and curves going the called strike route against the patient Atlanta team, but refusing to get beat in two-strike counts. The changeup did wonders with a 50% chase rate to LHB and hey! The cutter appeared! Not a terrible offering, but there’s work to be done and it earned 67% of the whiffs for Roupp. That’s right, 2/12 whiffs vs. 1/41 on the curve. Wild. We can take a break for a start against the Dodgers, but the Sawx in Oracle Park + White Sox after should be solid.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ SFG (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
We’re at 94.8 mph on the four-seamer and it’s hard to believe he’s going to suddenly jolt back up to 96/97 mph overnight. It’s possible but I’ll be ranking him later today with the expectation that this is who we’re going to get. The four-seamer/slider separation to RHB was much better in this one, though without the overpowering velocity, his lack of reliable third offering is becoming a larger issue. Just 4/51 whiffs on the four-seamer is making him like Ben Brown and I hate that I just said that. How could you?! It’s a whiffable breaking ball + a four-seamer that isn’t getting whiffs and nothing else! However, that’s the floor of Strider and the command is clearly a step up over Brown. But Brown’s curve is better than Strider’s slider. Ohhhhhh, that’s kinda true. STILL, Strider ability to locate merged with the haze of his velocity/mix throughout the year obviously makes him leaps and bounds higher. But yes, I’d sell Strider if he’s still considered a Top 20 SP.
Hunter Dobbins (BOS) @ NYY (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 64 pitches.
He ran into trouble early and Koufax elected to go easy on the rook. Not a single walk or strikeout is unheard of these days (HAISTBMBWT?!) and no, I don’t want to touch this for another go against the Yankees. But he sat 97.3 mph! Yes, he gassed it up after his comments of “I’d retire before signing with the Yankees” and it’s not going to stick.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs SEA (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 94 pitches.
The changeup was absurd for 50% CSW, but too many were lofted and punished for hits, while the four-seamer was rough over the plate. He almost made it, y’all. I think he’s actually in a great spot with his feel, but the schedule does him few favors with @BAL, @NYY, BOS, @ATL up next. You can give it a shot against the Orioles, but otherwise I think I’m out. He’s a great target when the schedule lightens up.
Tomoyuki Sugano (BAL) @ ATH (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 87 pitches.
It’s not easy pitching in Sacré Verde, even when Sugano continued to have his stellar command to LHB. I think you’re fine rolling him out there for the Angels, Rays, and twice against the Rangers. he’s a Toby.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ CIN (L) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 94 pitches.
Blegh. His deathball curveball allowed two home runs in this one while the terrible slider allowed a third. Seriously, what is it with pitchers this season throwing their terrible sliders despite getting burned by the longball constantly? As for Gallen, the changeup is looking great and the curve returned a whopping 52% CSW, but zero outs on balls in play, and the heater isn’t nearly as poor as this line would make you think. With the Padres + @COL + @CHW, it feels like he should still be rostered, though he has all the HIPSTER vibes, doesn’t he?
Michael McGreevy (STL) vs LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
This was a clear sit, though McGreevy has a phenomenal schedule ahead with @MIL, Reds Carpet, @CLE ahead. I kinda want a Toby with a wide arsenal and good defense behind him for those starts. This is a solid 15-teamer play and considerable for shallower points/QS leagues.
Cade Horton (CHC) @ DET (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 85 pitches.
Blegh. His four-seamer command wasn’t nearly as good as we’ve seen previously, but I was absolutely amped by the changeup’s 41% CSW and 6/17 whiffs. His breaker (Savant is splitting out the sweeper and curve, with the former to RHB and latter to LHB) was still excellent at 7/23 whiffs overall and now we get the Pirates + Brewers. Awwww yeah.
Bowden Francis (TOR) @ MIN (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.
You gotta dump the BF. Make all the excuses you like, but you have to be kind to yourself first. I know how hard it can be. Be brave. Have the courage to chase happiness.
Carlos Rodón (NYY) vs BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
Aces gonna allow a two-run shot in the fifth, then have a Careful, Icarus by starting the sixth with a HBP, BB, 3-Run HR. Yikes. Yeah. Whatareyagonnado.
Chase Dollander (COL) vs NYM (L) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 78 pitches.
Yep. Don’t do this.
Game of the Day
Eury Pérez @ Pittsburgh Pirates – YESSSSSS. You can leave him on the IL spot for this Still ILL but I’m PUMPED.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
